The Brother Cornelius Russell Papers contains correspondence to his family from his three year tour in the United States Army during World War II and from his Novitiate years as a Marist Brother. This collection also includes photos of his family and friends, diplomas from various schools, awards Brother Cornelius received throughout his life, and his World War II uniform.

The Brother Cornelius Russell Papers was donated to Marist College Archives and Special Collections by the family of Brother Cornelius Russell in 2009.

Historical Note

John J. Russell was born on February 29, 1920 to Joseph Russell and Genevieve Toner in Manhattan, New York. He was the oldest of three siblings; he had two younger sisters, Genevieve and Mary Russell. Because he was color blind John was not able to enlist in the United States Army in the early stages of World War II. When the war escalated John was drafted and chose to go into the Air Force Weather Squadron. His duties included observing the weather to ensure it was clear for army planes, and making sure they were able to take off and land safely at their destinations; without his signature on the departure form, no plane could leave the hanger. His major assignment was in Tindouf, Algeria at the weather station. John advanced in the ranks throughout his three year tour to Technical Sergeant.

At the end of John’s Army career in 1946, he heeded his late calling to join the Order of Marist Brothers. John’s first experience with the Brothers was during his elementary school days when they acted as his teachers. He also had connections to this order through his Aunt Tess, who was a Sister in a related order. After serving as a Novitiate for two years John received the Marist Habit and also during this time, graduated from Marian College (now Marist College) with a degree in history in 1950. In 1953 John made his final vows to join the Marist Brotherhood for life, and was renamed Brother J. Cornelius Russell.

Brother Cornelius was a humble person who lived by the Marist Principle to “do good quietly.” Before he returned to Marist College, Brother Cornelius taught at other Marist Brother Schools, including schools in the Bronx and Briarwood in New York, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Augusta, Georgia. During this time, he received an MBA, from Columbia University. In 1962 Brother Cornelius was brought to Marist College to incorporate a business major to help widen the school’s curriculum and to draw in more prospective students. He was the first full-time business faculty member and first business department chairman at Marist College. In 1964 President Foy appointed him Controller, a position he held for several years. As the Controller Brother Cornelius had the responsibility of overseeing Marist College’s financial planning. On May 20th, 1995 Brother Cornelius was given the President’s Award by President Murray for his diligence while at Marist College and after his retirement. During his retirement he was also able to devote more of himself to the Marist Brotherhood and on March 3, 1996 he was given Pope John Paul II Apostolic Blessing. Brother Cornelius’s long and excellent teaching record was recognized on October 10th, 2003 when he was named one of Marist’s Heritage Professors.

Brother Cornelius was a vibrant, but humble person who left his mark on not only Marist College, but on the lives and hearts of many other people he met throughout his travels.

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